Towards predictive simulation of single feed semibatch reaction crystallization

A population balance model is developed over single-feed semi-batch reaction crystallization of benzoic acid. The model is evaluated by comparison with experimental data, and simulations are carried out to advance the understanding of the process. The model accounts for chemical reaction, micro and mesomixing, primary nucleation, crystal growth and growth rate dispersion (GRD). Two mechanistic mixing models are evaluated: the segregated feed model and the engulfment model (E-model) with mesomixing. When the mixing is described by the E-model (engulfment model) and GRD is accounted for, the model quite well captures the influence of reactant concentrations, agitation rate, feed point location, feed pipe diameter, total feeding time and crystallizer volume, on the product weight mean size. When using the SF-model (segregated feed model) the results are less satisfactory. The kinetics of nucleation and crystal growth have a great impact on the results of the simulations, influencing the product weight mean size as well as the response to changes in the processing conditions. A new set of kinetic data for benzoic acid derived from semi-batch experimental results are presented.     

Change‐point detection in panel data

We consider N panels and each panel is based on T observations. We are interested to test if the means of the panels remain the same during the observation period against the alternative that the means change at an unknown time. We provide tests which are derived from a likelihood argument and they are based on the adaptation of the CUSUM method to panel data. Asymptotic distributions are derived under the no change null hypothesis and the consistency of the tests are proven under the alternative. The asymptotic results are shown to work in case of small and moderate sample sizes via Monte Carlo simulations.     

The Course of Psychological Disorders in the 1st Year After Cancer Diagnosis.

This study investigated the relationship between acute stress disorder (ASD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid anxiety, depressive, and substance use disorders over the first 12-month period following a cancer diagnosis. Individuals recently diagnosed with 1st onset head and neck or lung malignancy were assessed for ASD within the initial month following their diagnosis and reassessed for PTSD and other psychological disorders at both 6 months and 12 months following their cancer diagnosis. The incidence for PTSD at 12 months (14%) was lower than the incidence for other anxiety (20%) and depressive (20%) disorders. This study points to the need for the development of valid therapeutic interventions to assist this population in the 1st year following their diagnosis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Solvent retention capacity values in relation to the Czech commercial wheat quality

Technological quality in the sets of eighty commercial wheat samples was evaluated by grain milling traits (test weight, thousand kernel weight, grain hardness as Particle Size Index, one‐stream flour yield) and common analytical parameters (wet gluten and protein contents, Zeleny test value, falling number) together with the solvent retention capacity (SRC) method (AACC 56‐11). For the commercial wheat, the latter analytical procedure (originally designed for flour quality analysis) was verified also for grain wholemeal. Within the mentioned sample group, anova revealed the strongest effect of the harvest year, both for milling and for technological parameters. For the SRC profiles, the effect of the sample form used dominated the crop year influence. The grain SRCs were correlated with the milling traits foursome, while an agreement between the flour SRC profiles and technological quality data was not so tight. However, the flour lactic acid SRC was associated with the wet gluten and protein contents (r = 0.24, P < 0.05), and the protein quality as Zeleny value with the flour water SRC (r = 0.24, P < 0.05). Relationship between Zeleny's value and flour lactic acid SCR was confirmed by nonlinear Spearman correlation (R = ?0.26, P < 0.05).     

Combined effects of postharvest heat treatment and chitosan coating on quality of fresh‐cut mangoes (Mangifera indica L.)

The influence of heat treatment combined with coating on sensory quality, physico‐chemicals characteristics (firmness, colour, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids and total carotenoids content) and microbiological quality of fresh‐cut mangoes were studied. Whole mangoes (Mangifera indica cv ‘Tommy Atkins’) were subjected to hot water dipping (HWD) at 50 °C for 30 min and cooled for 15 min. Heated and unheated fruits were minimally processed and mango cubes were coated with chitosan solution (0.25% w/v) dissolved in 0.5% (w/v) citric acid, and stored for 9 days at 6 °C under ambient atmosphere. This study showed that both HWD 50 °C for 30 min and chitosan coating, either alone or combined, did not affect the taste and the flavour of mangoes slices. The chitosan coating combined with HWD or not inhibited the microbial growth for 9 days at 6 °C. Indeed chitosan coating was used for his antimicrobial proprieties. HWD 50 °C for 30 min was the beneficial treatment to maintain firmness and colour during 9 days at 6 °C.     

Automatic Optimization Techniques Applied to a Large Range of Industrial Test Cases

The use of material processing numerical simulation has spread widely in recent years in the engineering industry. It allows a strategy of trial and error to improve virtual processes without incurring material costs or interrupting production and therefore save a lot of money. On the other hand, it requires user time to analyze the results, adjust the operating conditions and restart the simulation. Automatic optimization seems the perfect complement to simulation. Evolutionary Algorithm coupled with metamodelling makes it possible to obtain industrially relevant results on a very large range of applications within a few tens of simulations and without any specific automatic optimization technique knowledge. In the frame of the LOGIC ANR French project, ten industrial partners have been selected to cover the different area of the mechanical forging industry and provide different examples of the forming simulation tools. An optimization module, fully embedded within the Forge2009 IHM, makes possible to cover all the defined examples, and the use of new multicore hardware to compute several simulations at the same time reduces the needed time dramatically. The presented examples demonstrate the method versatility. They include billet shape optimization of a common rail and the cogging of a bar.     

Continuing education in psychology: Patterns of participation and perceived outcomes among mandated and nonmandated psychologists.

How much continuing education (CE) do professional psychologists complete each year, and how do they perceive it as affecting their competencies and practices? In a national survey, 1,146 licensed psychologists reported on their patterns of CE participation and their perceived outcomes in relation to those experiences. Overall, psychologists reported highly favorable perceptions of their CE experiences and outcomes, both in relation to the amount that they learned and the translation of that learning into more effective practice. Significant differences were found between psychologists from CE-mandating and nonmandating states, however, in relation to the format of the CE they participated in (e.g., on-site, online) and, especially, in relation to their levels of CE participation. Overall, nonmandated psychologists reported completing one-third fewer CE credits per year and were less supportive of CE mandates, as well. These and other results are discussed in relation to the developing empirical literatures on CE and professional competencies in psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)